New York, N.Y. – Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL) announced it has signed a five-year partnership with The R&A to become an Official Patron of The Open Championship through July 31, 2016.
As part of the agreement, Ralph Lauren will outfit all officials and staff members at The Open Championship. The Company will provide a complete selection of RLX Golf and Polo Golf apparel for men and women as well as an assortment of Ralph Lauren Childrenswear in the on-site retail pavilion area. In addition, Ralph Lauren will create a dedicated Polo Golf men’s collection celebrating the Royal Lytham & St. Annes 2012 Open Championship.
Played annually since 1860 on British links golf courses, The Open Championship is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. The only major held outside the United States, The Open Championship is administered by The R&A—the governing body of world golf outside the US with national affiliates in 126 countries around the globe.
Ralph Lauren’s patronage of The Open Championship reinforces the brand’s dedication to golf as well as its leadership in major global sporting initiatives. In addition to this partnership, the Company also serves as the Official Outfitter for the United States Golf Association, the Official Apparel Sponsor of the US Open Tennis Championships and the Official Outfitter of the Wimbledon Championships, and will be the proud Outfitter for the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Ralph Lauren also sponsors the Blackwatch Polo Team as well as an elite roster of professional golfers such as Luke Donald, Tom Watson, Davis Love III, Jonathan Byrd, Matteo Manassero, Webb Simpson and Morgan Pressel.
